Arsenal fan Ian Poulter believes he can succeed where the Gunners have failed and be a major success in European competition.

Poulter watched on TV in Cologne on Wednesday as his beloved side were beaten 3-0 at Highbury by Inter Milan in the Champions League.

It leaves Arsene Wenger's side with an uphill task to qualify, but Poulter is confident he can qualify for the pinnacle of European golf, namely next year's Ryder Cup.

The 27-year-old from Hertfordshire took a one-shot lead into today's third round of the Linde German Masters after a second round 63 at Gut Larchenhof.

And if he can convert that lead into his third win of the season tomorrow, it would be worth &#xA3;350,000 and the same number of Ryder Cup qualifying points, well over half the amount with which Phil Price secured the last automatic qualifying place for The Belfry last year.

Poulter was next in line for the team and just 30,000 points behind, and is a good bet to go at least one better this time and qualify for the team which will defend the trophy at Oakland Hills next September.

"It is a huge week," admitted Poulter, who was overlooked for a wild card in favour of Sergio Garcia and Jesper Parnevik. "I want to keep hitting good golf shots, and if I do that I can take care of the Ryder Cup points."

Poulter's 63 contained nine birdies - he is yet to drop a shot this week - and edged him in front of Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, who equalled the best round of the day with a 62.